Bioinspired manufacturing of oriented polysaccharides scaffolds for strong, optical haze and anti-UV/bacterial membranes

Here, biomimetic dual esterification strategy was proposed on natural polysaccharides cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) and galactomannan (GM) in combination with tartaric acid (TA) and benzoic anhydride (BA) respectively. Evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA) formed the oriented quasinematic structure of the nanocomposites membranes. The CNCs crystallites were modified by TA and intercalated by amorphous polysaccharides, building a complex supramolecular network. Thus, it presents excellent light scattering property with the optical haze of similar to 90%, which was rarely reported previously. TA and BA simultaneously contributed to satisfying UV adsorption capability for the membranes, showing almost whole-spectra UVA/UVB blocking. Super high mechanical strength (>150 MPa) and toughness (similar to 8 kJ/m(3)) were revealed by the membranes with high addition amount of BA, together with the efficient antibacterial capability on both Gram-positive and negative bacteria. The diverse optical, mechanical and biological functions displayed by the polysaccharides membranes, propose new horizons on application for packaging, optoelectronic and biomonitoring sensors.

Automated summary

A novel biomimetic dual esterification strategy was proposed for natural polysaccharides cellulose nanocrystals and galactomannan, combined with tartaric acid and benzoic anhydride. The evaporation-induced self-assembly formed an oriented quasinematic structure in the nanocomposites membranes, which exhibited excellent light scattering property and UV adsorption capability, along with high mechanical strength and antibacterial capability. This study opens up new possibilities for applications in packaging, optoelectronics, and biomonitoring sensors.